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Local Bike Shop Week returns this May, with independent retailers reporting strong benefits from past events

19 Feb 2026

Local Bike Shop Week is approaching, with this year’s celebrations taking place from Sunday 3 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 - and retailers have highlighted the positive experiences they've... Read more…

Independent bike shops unite for inaugural Local Bike Shop Week celebration

17 Feb 2026

A week to celebrate and highlight the expertise and passion of independent bike shops across the UK is set to be held this May.
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ACT part of coalition letter calling for consultation on online VAT reform

16 Feb 2026

A 18-strong coalition of business organisations and tax experts, including the ACT and led-by its parent company Bira, has today written to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury calling for a... Read more…

Government's pub-only business rates package is "poor decision based on politics", ACT parent company Bira says

29 Jan 2026

The government's decision to give pubs a 15% business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a "poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy",... Read more…

Independent retailers demand equal treatment as Government prepares pub rates relief

9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.
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Christmas and New Year message from ACT Director Jonathan Harrison

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.
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Scottish Government urged to cut business rates for indie retailers

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13... Read more…

Independent retailers to see rates bills soar by up to 15% despite government's "transformation" promises

2 Dec 2025

Independent retailers across the UK are facing business rates increases of up to 15% next year despite government promises of the "lowest tax rates since 1991", ACT parent company Bira has... Read more…

UK's E-Bike Positive campaign to be adopted by the BA & ACT

1 Dec 2025

As of Thursday 1st January 2026, the E-Bike Positive campaign will fall under the joint guardianship of the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).
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Cycle to work scheme escapes cap but ACT warns Budget fails cycle retailers on business rates and imports

26 Nov 2025

The ACT has welcomed the Government's decision not to impose a cap on the cycle to work scheme, calling it "common sense prevailing" after weeks of speculation threatened a vital sales tool for... Read more…

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Upskill your team with Microsoft online courses through Activate Learning

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

ACT’s Cytech delivery partner Activate Learning, of which Activate Cycle Academy is a part, is offering FREE online Microsoft accredited online courses for employers to enable their staff to upskill in a particular digital topic.

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Activate Learning has been successful in securing funding from the Department for Education to deliver these courses free for local businesses in Berkshire, North Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey, although employees taking part do not need to be based in these areas. There are no limits to the number of courses or the number of employees that can sign up and they're available until the end of March 2023.

The courses are studied remotely by your employee through the Microsoft Learn portal and take on average 30 hours to complete. All learners are supported by a Digital Coach throughout.

There are six Microsoft Accreditation courses available free of charge, each tailored to meet the needs of local employers. They are:

AI FUNDAMENTALS - Concepts related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how Microsoft Azure can create solutions.

CLOUD COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS - Cloud computing is the delivery of services to offer faster, innovative and flexible resources.

CLOUD SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS - The fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based services.

DATA FUNDAMENTALS - Identify and describe core data concepts and implement with Microsoft Azure.

DYNAMICS 365 FUNDAMENTALS - Develop effective systems to manage customer interaction.

POWER PLATFORM FUNDAMENTALS - Create simple Power Apps, connect data, and build a chatbot.

For more information, click here.

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